§ 45. Viscount WOLMERasked the Prime Minister whether he intends to appoint a new Junior Lord of the Treasury to fill the place rendered vacant by the promotion of the Patronage Secretary to his present position; if not, whether, when Lord Murray of Elibank held the position of Patronage Secretary, there was an abnormal number of Junior Lords of the Treasury; and, if so, why the vacancy caused by the resignation of the hon. Member for Southampton was ever filled up?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)The answer to the first branch of the question is for the present in the negative. Only three of the Junior Lords are paid, and the number of unpaid lords has varied from time to time. Whether an unpaid post should be filled tip or not is a matter for the discretion of the Government.
§ Viscount WOLMERCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any degree 287 less work for the Junior Lords of the Treasury to do now than in the summer, or is it the fear of a by-election?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs I have already said this is a matter for the discretion of the Government.
§ Viscount WOLMERIs the right hon. Gentleman's discretion the better part of valour?
§ Mr. PRINGLEWas the hon. Member for Southampton ever a Lord of the Treasury?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo. I think he was Treasurer of the Household.